Merkel in Washington: a cool reception

During her first visit to the United States and her meeting with President Donald Trump (17 March), Chancellor Angela Merkel was faced with a new approach towards Germany by an American administration. The intention of President Trump and his entourage, albeit expressed only rhetorically so far, is to reduce the role of Germany and force changes in its policy.

The US President portrayed Germany not as the most important ally of the United States in the EU, as Barack Obama had done, but as an economic power which selfishly exploits other EU states, and which undermines the US economy to achieve economic benefits for itself and maintain the status quo which guarantees Germany’s political and economic stability.

In addition, Germany has not fulfilled its obligations regarding defence policy expenditure, which President Trump has often criticised, and which was also raised during the two leaders’ meeting. It is unclear, however, how this rhetoric will translate into concrete actions by the US, or whether President Trump will manage to force Germany into changing its policy.